Gomez Juardo was arrested on suspicion of possession of less than 50 pounds of marijuana and municipal court warrants. He was jailed under a $46,238 bond.

To report drug trafficking and drug stash houses, call the West Texas metro narcotics task force at 629-8600 or Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 566-8477.

Daniel Borunda

2 Chaparral men arrested in car theft

El Paso police have arrested two men from Chaparral in connection with the theft of a car and the recovery of a stolen engine and auto parts, officials said Wednesday.

Jose A. Hernandez, 21, and Jorge R. Hernandez, 17, face a charge of engaging in organized criminal activity-theft after an investigation by the Auto Theft Task Force and the Northeast Tactical unit.

Officials said the investigation began Jan. 25 when the men allegedly stole a 1995 Acura Integra on Scott Simpson Drive on the East Side. Police said the car was recovered nearby after witnesses scared away the thieves. The investigation later led to the stolen engine and auto parts.

Jose Hernandez was jailed in lieu of a $15,000 bond. Jorge Hernandez was jailed under a $25,000 bond.

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Auto thefts are down 39 percent in the first three months of this year, police said.

Daniel Borunda

Ex-coach gets probation over pills

A former El Dorado High School varsity boys basketball coach has been sentenced to eight years of probation after he pleaded guilty to a charge of fraudulently obtaining hydrocodone pills in 2010.

Court records show Ron Vicencio, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of fraudulent possession of a controlled substance/prescription during a hearing in February before Criminal District Court No. 1 Judge Diane Navarette. Vicencio was also sentenced to serve 300 hours of community service. He was originally scheduled to go on trial next week.

Vicencio was arrested in August 2010 on accusations he tried to use fake prescriptions for hydrocodone at 12 El Paso pharmacies. As he was being booked into the El Paso County Jail after his arrest, sheriff's deputies found three white hydrocodone pills in his right shoe, deputies said at the time.

Adriana M. Chávez

Man gets 20 years in stabbing, death

A man accused in the stabbing of one man and the death of another who fell and hit his head at a Central El Paso bar has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Daniel Chavez, 30, pleaded guilty earlier this month to a charge of engaging in organized criminal activity in connection with the July stabbing of a man at a video rental kiosk outside of a Circle K store on North Piedras Street.

State prosecutors said Chavez's involvement in the death of Jesus Frescas Jr., 55, at the Rods Sports Bar and Lounge, 3900 Pershing, was factored into the plea agreement with prosecutors. Police said that on July 6, Chavez pushed Frescas, who fell and hit his head on the concrete floor.

Frescas did not regain consciousness and died July 8 at University Medical Center of El Paso.

According to an indictment, Chavez is a member of the Barrio Azteca gang with two previous aggravated assault convictions.

Adriana M. Chávez

Suspect in store robberies arrested

Police arrested a suspect in the robberies of three Lower Valley stores since November.

Officers arrested David Middaugh, 44, of the 8500 block of Alameda Avenue, last week on suspicion of three counts of aggravated robbery and one count of terroristic threat. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail on bonds totaling $160,000.

A police spokesman said Middaugh is believed to have robbed the Circle K store at 8130 Alameda on Nov. 13, the Valero gas station at 8498 Alameda on Dec. 21, and the Family Dollar store at 8899 Alameda on Feb. 9. He allegedly approached the stores' clerks, demanded cash, displayed a handgun and fled with undisclosed amounts of cash. He remained jailed Tuesday.

OUARZAZATE, Morocco (AP) — The people are restive, the priesthood is scheming and a fanatic band of insurgents known as the zealots are plotting assassinations — and now to make matters worse, the body of a condemned cult-leader known as Jesus has disappeared from the tomb, apparently following some ancient prophecy. Full Story